Feed water heater



Aug. 4, 1931 J. F. GRACE FEEDWATER HEATER Filed Ai1g. 20, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 4, 1931 J. F. GRACE FEED WATER HEATER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1920 2. Z 5 ii V are connect d rsnr orrtcs t JOEE GRACE; OF KEARNY, NEW1 JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T WORTHINGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORPORATION; A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA rem) WATER HEATER Applicationfiled August 20, 1920. Serial No. 404;933.

u invention reiates to improvements in t er heater apparatus and especially toapparatusof that class in which the cold water suppiy pump and-the hot" feed pump so as cooperate in unison, and means are prorided-for taking care ofjor com pensating for'the variable excess of water due assteamcondensatiom but certain features cit the invention are applicable also to appaie ratusof other"classes. i

'Ain especialobject ofthe presentinvention is theprovision ofan improved feed water heating apparatus ofthis ciass adapted especially fbrlocomotive use. and having small 15 vertical dimensions, andwhichshall be compact, eflieient,a-nd durable under the exactingconditions of such service; Further obje'cts of the invention are the provision of improved means" for taking care of or'eom- 2t ")ensatingiior the excesswaterdue to steam condensation so a's to secure a. more reliable regulation under locomotive'conditions.

' For 'a full understanding of the inven detailed description of a locomotive feedwatjenhcating apparatus embodying all the features of the invention intheir preferred form wiilnow b'given in'connection with are accompanying drawings forming a a part of this ,specitication and the features 3% formingtheinvention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings- Figure. 1 is a sectional'eievation of the complete unit. i s

tively, on. lines 22, 8+8, 4-4, and55 of Fig. 1. a Referring to the drawings A is the oil separation chamber, B is the heat exchange chamber or heater proper, C the storage chamber for the feed pump to which the heated'w-m ter passes 'f romchamber B51) the watcr sup ply and air chamber, E the" float or bucket chamber for excess water control, F thefeed r water delivery and airchamber, Gtl'e filter ch n to it water suction and airchamber., i'iihcr chambers B, C D, E, F, ant;

Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 are sections. respec her for filteringthe feedwate'r previous a deiirery tofthe boiler, and H the cold and have the usual separate head lO'secured thereto.

At one side of thiscasting and secured thereto so as to forma single unit therewith the combined cold water supplyandh'ot ferred form shown forms a single compact:

unit which may be attached conveniently t0 the side of, the locomotive boiler. It will be understood, however, that the broader features of the inventionmay be embodied in constructions in which the pump and heater are not formed or connected into a single unit and'the' chambers A to C 'are'not formed in a single casting.

Steam delivered to the oil separation chamber A'by exhaust pipe ll'is distributed by an inwardly flaring connection 12,' extending" well within the chamber, against a plurality of bafiies 13 which retain any oil which ma be carried by the steam, the oil passing to the. bottom of the chamber A and'drain pipe 14; Preferably the lineof battles 13'is extended inwardly above the connection 12 to engage any steam which might otherwise pass directly upward from the connectionlQ, to the heat exchange chamber B without engaging. the baffles.

' After the oil separationthe steam passes upward from chamberA through passage 15 in the head and thence downward into the heat exchangechamber B. The. chamber A and the passage are preferably separated by an upwardly opening check valvea opening under light pressure and preferably of the type patented in theMe'yer patents Reissue 13,991 dated ()ctober 12, 1915' and No; 1,341,145 dated May 25, 1920 as shownto hold' the pressure .within the heat. exchange chamber B, and to prevent the heater from becoming a steam regenerator andnb oiling; over into the steam cylinder upon a sudden. shutting oft" ofthevsteam when the engine is" running at fiill power. Infthe chamber B, the n mingles u t ""l'water. from.

' heated ,water passes through a discharge.

cured in cold water passage 17 in head 10,

to which'water passes from cold water supply and air chamber D through passage 18, the lower end of which ispreferably located Well below the water level in chamber D for sealing the air chamber in chamber D, and for separation of any air which may be brought into chamber D with the water. The cold water supply chamber D is onvthe delivery pipe 19 of the. pump J. Ipreierably provide a small spring loaded relief valve 0 on the passage 17, so adjusted as to remain closed under normal pressure but adapted "to be forced open by'any undueincrease of pres: sure within the passage 17. d

When the engine is running .down grade and the pump J is not operating, the pressure of the Water in the tender may be suflicient toI openthe suction and discharge valves of the pumpvand flood the heater. As a positive means for preventing flow from the tender under these circumstances I providea spring pressed check valve?) betweenthe passages 17 and18, of sufficientstrength to prevent such flow and to open under the pump pressure.

From the heat exchange chamber 13' the throat, or nozzle formed by inwardly inclined flanges 20' to the storage'chamber C. Air escape passages 21 are provided, one for each of the spaces formed between the flanges 2O andthe chamber walls and may be controlled bysuitable air escapevalves if desired. The

heated water is withdrawn from the storage chamber C by the feed water portion of pump J below the plunger and delivered through passage 22 upward into feed water delivery and airch'amber F having partition'23 below which the water is drawn oil, thus providing a water seal between chamber F and passage 24 and securing air separation in chamber F. Passage 24 connects through ports 25 with filter chamber G through which the water passes downward to boiler connection 26; Filter chamber G may be filled with any suitable filtering media, s uch as coke, and is accessible for'cleaning through hand holes 27. The pump J consists of a single cylinder 28 within which the piston 29 is reciprocated I by piston rod 30, the upper end of the cylinder supplyingcold Water to the heater and the lower end handlingjthe heated feed water as above described. The feed water end of t'he pumpis provided with a single valve chest which may be "formed integral with the cylinder, shown, or secured thereto, the suction chamber 32 preferably beof these being shown, than discharge valves 34, two of which are shown, thus assuring a very'fr'ee suction flow'to compensate for the loss of head due to small elevation of the heat exchange chamber. .The valve chest is pro vided with inlet connection 35, and discharge the upperendof thecylinder 28 and is secured in any'suitable manner toflange 39. This cast-ing 38 provides a suction chamber 40 which connects withthe cold water supply passage H through port 41 and a discharge chamber 42 which connects with the lower end of the delivery passage 19 to the chamber D, suitable suction valves '43 and discharge valves 44 being used; 2

The steam cylinder K is provided with the usual piston 45connected to piston rod 30 for operating the pump piston29, and an entirely enclosed valve gear for controlling the move ment of the piston 45 is shown and preferably used. Thevalve chest 46 has a suitable passage 1 connecting with the steam supply connection 2, and a main valve 3 is nested within and moved by an auxiliary piston ,4 to control the distribution of steam to and from the ends of the cylinder K. Upon theback of the main valve 3 is the auxiliary valve 5 which is moved by mechanical means at right angles to the movement of the main valve 3, the combined movements of the main valve 3 and the auxiliary valve 5 controlling ports in the main valve and its seatfor delivery of steam to and fromthe auxiliary cylinder ends for movement of the auxiliary piston 4 to actuate the main valve. This valve is patented by United StatesLetters Patent No. 1,055,994, dated MarchlS, 1913. .The auxiliary valve 5 is secured to a, valve rod 6 which passes through gland 7 into the cylinder K and extends into a passage 8. in piston rod 30. The end of the rod; 6 is provided with a head 9 which engages alternately with the end of the passage 8 and the piston nut 47, to throw the auxiliary valve 5 for shifting the main valve 3. The exhaust from cylinder K isprererably delivered through a passage 48 to the heat exchange chamber B. V

The steam cylinder K andthe pump J are,

allow thepassage of piston 29 upward through it. This opening is closed by a studing box 51 provided with a flange 52 which seats against the inner side of the head 50. As can readily be seen, by the removal of the valve chest 46, detachment of the auxiliary valve from ream-and a nea-nas ire cylinder head 49-tlie two pistons 29' and 45',

red 3'0 andfstuiiing box 51 may be removed asa iumt and'a set of sparesinserted withamin mum of delay.

An important feature is that the plunger rod fb'rthe-pum'p J is on the cold water side -so that the plunger rodmay be made to comperisate for L the difference between the amounts of cold water and feed water pumped due to-the addition thereto ofthe condensatein an open feedwater heater of the jet type shown.

The" pump construction is such that the ratio between the quantities of cold water delivere'cl" to andthe feed water removed from i the heater remains relatively constant,but

due to condensation o'f'the steam a slight excess of watermeumulates within the heater.

A further feature of my invention is the provision ofother improved means for taking care ofor'compensating for this excess, which preferably is done by delivering the excess water to the supply pump for return to the heater as in the construction shown, either alone Orin-combination with the plunger rod compensation previously described For this purpos'e'the float chamber E is connectedto thesterage'tank C by a passage 53 and at its bottomis provided with a'passag'e 5 iconn'ect ingiwitli a passage 55'o'n casting 38 and open atfits-lower end to the suction chamber 40.

An open float 56, preferably of the bucket type and preferably hexagonal in shape and passes through passages 54 and 55 into the slightly tapering toward its bottom to prevent damage by freezing, slides upon a guide r'od' '57, the upper end'of which issecuredin removable'head '10 and the lower end of which cold suction chamberfof the pump J and is retainedin'position by an adjustable gland 58 screwedinto the bottom of passage The guide rod 57 is hollow throughout that portion within-tliepassages 54L, 'and'is provide'd with a pluralityof openings 59in that 7 portion within the passage 55? 'lhebott'om of the float 5'6'forms a valve comctingwith'the upper end of the passage 54 to allow or stop flow water from chamber E to th'e'pass'age's 54,, a The float 56 is maintained full of water at all times by a port 60 in the passage 18 which directs aportionof the cold supply water'to the interior of th'efloat,andis prefer ably, urged to' anopen position by a spring 61' seating'against" the "adjustable" gland 58 and the excess water .topassthr'ough passages 54,

55', openings 59, and the hollow portion of the rod 57 into the supply suction chamber 40 of the pump J This condition will continue until'the water level in the storage tank C and the float tank E has fallen sufiiciently to allow the float 56 to overcome the spring 61 and seat againstthe upper end of the passage 54 thereby preventing further flow to the pump J.

The operation of the construction will be understood from the drawings and above description, with a brief statement.

The steam entering the chamber A engages the baffles 13 for removal of any oil carried by it and passes to the chamber B where the steam is condensed by cold water from the spray nozzles 16. The heated water then passes into storage chamber C from which it is withdrawn by the lower end of the pump J which forces it through air separation chamber F to the filter chamber G for a final'cleansing of the water previous to its passage to the boiler through connec tion 26L The ratio between the quantities of water delivered to the heater and withdi'awn'therefrom by pump J remains relatively constant. hen there is an increase in thequantity of steam and consequently of water of'condensation, then the water will rise In the floatchamber E and the increased flotation effect thereof, aidedby the spring 61, will raise the'bucket 56 and allow the excess water to pass through passages 54, 55, openings 59, and the hollow portion of rod 57into the cold suction chamber 40 of the pump J. This operation continues until the water level within chambers C and E falls and the bucket 56 closes the upper end of the passage 5 in resumption of normal opera tion'. The pump J is so proportioned as to keep the feed water end of pump full and the storage and bucket chambers filled to normal level, so that the bucket controls only the variableexcess from steam condensation.

It will be seen that the invention provides a veryrsimple, compact and eilicient feed water heating apparatus, adapted especially for locomotive use. The float chamber separate from and at one side of the storage chamber is important, in that only the water necessary for float operation is carried in this chamber, and the splashing and vibration eflect upon the float largely reduced, so that the regulation is more reliable and the mechanism less subject to injury. This feature in combination with the improved float aids, also, in providing an efiicient apparatus of small vertical dimensions, as the height of the heater is not increased by the float chamber, or the float which projects but slightiy above the water level and the variation of level required for float control does not increase the vertical dimensions of rwtically and a long pump stroke used, so

that the sizeof the pump can be correspondingly reduced. l

'i he form of the storage chamber and the the pump, is important inreducing t is head required, and this larger Valve area fol-the hot suction than for the colder suction and delivery,secures eliiciency and economy in pumping the water at any temperature to which it may be heated. VV1th the to the condensation of thesteam and thus avoid liability to vapor binding and irregul'ar action of the pump. a The use of an open float or bucket full of water at all times, and guided by a rigidly secured guide rod, in combinationwith the separate float-chamber, is important inreducing vibration, especiallyin locomotive use. j

:l/Vhile the invention is especially applicable to locomotive feed water heating apparatus, and has been shown as thus applied, it will be understood that the invention is applicable also i connection with other teed waterheating systems, and that the invention is notto be limitedto the specific construction'or'arrangement of parts shown, as these may be varied widely withinthe invention as defined by the claims.

What 1 claim is 1.- In a-teed water heating apparatus, the" combination with a heating chamber and a storage chamber of pumping means com- I inlet to said connection during normal flow prising a supply pump portion and a feed water pump portion for delivering relatively fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, a float chamber in communication with the storage chamber and arranged separate-from and at one side of; the storage chamber, a connectionbetween the float chamber and the supply pump portion of the pumping means, a bucket float controlling the inlet to said connection to conduct the excess water due to steam condensation to the supply'pump portion otthe'pumping through theheater. v v

2. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with a heating chamber and a storage chamber, of pumping 'means comng a supply pump portion and a feed pump p"on for delivering relatively fixed quantities ot'water to andi'rom the:

g'ed suction valve area for the hot water lingthe inlet to said connection to conduct the excess water'dueto steam condensation, to the supply pump portion of the pumping means, means for maintaininga supply of water in the bucket float for closure of the inlet to said connection during normal flow through the heater, and means urging the bucket float to an open position; 7 2

3. In ate-ed water-heating apparatus, the combination with a heating [chamber and a storage chamber, of pumping, means comprising a supply pumpportion and a feedwater pump portion for delivering relatively fixed quantities of water toandfromithe heater, a float chamber in communication with the storage chamber and arranged separate from and atone sideot the storage chamber, a connection between the float chamber and the supply: pumpportion of the pumping means, a guide rod passing through the floatchamber, a bucket slidingv on the guide rod to control theinlet. to said connection, a spring urging the bucket to open position, and means for'supplying-water to the bucket to maintain the latter in position to close said inlet except when-floated by excess water in the storage'chamber.

In a feed water heating, apparatus, the

combination with a heating chamber and a storage chamber, of pumping .means comprising a supply pump portlon and a feed water pump portion for delivering relatives 1y fixed quantities of water to and from: the heater, a float chamber in communication with the storage. chamber and arranged seprate from. and at one side of the storage chamber, a connection between the float chamber and the supply pump portion of the by excess water inthe storage chamber.

f5. In a feed waterheating apparatus, the combinationwitha heating chamber and a storage chamber, of a single cylinder double acting supply and feed pump delivering relatively fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, afloat chamber separate.

from the heating and storagechambers and arranged at one side-thereof, a connection between the float pump, a bucl-Iet 'loat controllingthejinlet to said connection 0 conduct the excess water dueto steam condensation to the supply pump, and means for maintaining a supply.

of water in the bucket'for closure of'saidinlet during normal flow through the heater. 6. in a feed w ater heating apparatuathe chamber ,andrlthe supply combination with a heating chamber and a storage chamber, of a singlecylinder double acting supply and feed pump delivering relatively fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, a float chamber separate from the heating and storage chambers and arranged at one side thereof, a connection between the float chamber and the supply pump, a bucket float controlling the inlet to said connection to conduct the excess water due to steam condensation to the supply pump, means for maintaining a supply of water in the bucket for closure of said inlet during normal flow through the heater, and means urging the bucket float to'open position.

7. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with a heating chamber for direct contact of the water and steam, of pumping means for delivering relatively fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, means compensating for a fixed amount of the water added thereto by condensation of the steam, and means for compensating for any condensate in excess of that compensated for by the fixed compensation.

8. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with a heating chamber for direct contact of the water and steam, of a single cylinder double acting supply and feed pump, one end of the cylinder pumping the cold supply and the other end the heated water, said pump having its piston rod on the cold supply side of the piston and propertioned to compensate for a fixed increase in the quantity of heated water due to condensatlOILOf thesteam, and float operated means for. compensat ng for any condensate in e2;-

' cess of thatcompensated for by the lined compensation. l 7

9. In a feed'watcr heating apparatus, the combination with a heating chamber for direct contact of water and steam, of a single cylinder double acting supply and feed pump, one end of the cylinder pumping the cold supply and the other end the heated water, saidpump having its piston rod on the cold supply side of the piston and proportioned to compensate for the added water due to steam condensation. i

10. The combination with a heating chamber B and storage chamber C in line vertically, of oil separating chamber A on the steam inlet and filtering chamber G on the feed water outlet, said chambers A and G being arranged inline vertically and at the side of chambers B, C. i

11; The combination with heating chamber B andstorage chamber C in line vertically, of oil separating chamber A on the steam inlet and filtering chamber G on the feed vertical supply and feed pnmparranged at the side of chambers 13, C.

12. The combination with heating chamber B and storage chamber C in line vertically, of oil separatingchamber A on the steam inlet and filtering chamber G on the feed water outlet, said chambers A and G being arranged in line vertically and at the side of chambers B, C, a single double acting vertical supply and feed pump arranged at the side or" chambers, 13, C, and a control float chamber separate from the storage chamber and at the side thereof.

13. In a locomotive open type feed water heater, a heater vessel, a pump cylinder, a

single piston reciprocating in said cylinder for forcing a definite volume of cold water into said heater vessel at each upward stroke of the piston and withdrawing a definite but larger volume of hot waterfrom said vessel into the bottom of said cylinder at the same time, means for conducting steam to said heatera-essel to be condensed by and mingled with the water therein, thevolumetric displacement oi" the upper coldwater end of the 4 piston being than the volumetric displacement of the lower hot water end of the pistonby an amount determined by the crosssectional area of the piston rod and the difference in the displacement between the cold and hot water sides of the piston being substantially equal to the normalvolumeof the condensate formed in the heater vessel.

.14. An open type feedwater heater comprising a heatingvessel, means for admitting stea-nrthereto, separate means for admitting cold water to-said vessel, a hot water outlet from said vessel, a single pump cylinder; and

piston having a substantially vertical axis, valve controlled inlet means and outlet means for cold water at the upper end of said cylinder, a valve-controlled inlet for hot water at the lower end of the same cylinder, and a valve-controlled outlet for hot water from the lower end of said cylinder, the effective area of the cold water end of the piston be ing materially less than the effective area of the hot water end of said piston.

15. An open type feedwater heater comprising a heating vessel, means for admitting steam thereto, a hot water outlet from said vessel, a single cylinder and piston for forcing cold water into said vessel when the piston moves in one direction and forcing a greater volume of hot water from said cylinder when the piston moves in the opposite direction, the volume of hot water pumped being the same on each hot water pumping stroke for a given supply of steam and a given stroke of the piston, a float in the liquid space of said vessel and means controlled thereby for maintaining the water level in said vessel substantially constant.

16. In a feedwater heater, a heater vessel, means forintroducing steam into said vessel, pump means including a cylinder and piston for introducing cold water into said vessel and withdrawing hot water therefrom, a conduit connectingsaid heater vessel with the hot water pumping units, and an inlet valve in said hot water conduit below the lower-end of said piston for admitting hot water to said cylinder.

' 17. In an open type feedwater heater, a heater-vessel,= means for conducting steam thereto, areciprocating pump means for forcing cold waterinto said vessel and withdrawing hot water therefrom, the volumetric displacement of the cold water pumping unit being materially lessthan' the volumetric dis placement of the hot water pumping unit,

conduits connecting theheater vessel with the cold hot water pumping units, and a plurality of hot water inlet valves in the conduit connected to the hot water pumping unit and located below the lower end of said hot water pumping unit.

18. In, an open type feedwaterheater, a

heater vessel, 'means for conducting steam thereto, pumping means for forcing cold water intosaid vessel and withdrawing hot 'water therefrom, the volumetric displacement of the cold water pumping unit being i materially less than the'volumetric displacement "of the hot water pumping unit, conduits connecting the heater vessel with the cold and hot water pumping units, a plurality of hot water inlet valves in the conduit 0on nected to the hot water pumping unit and located below the lower end of said hot water pumping unit, and means'formaintaining a substantially constant water level in said heater vessel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

I F. GRACE.

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